German sustainable rubber filler maker joins WDK

Oberkirch, Germany – Xillix, a supplier of sustainable functional fillers for rubber applications has joined the German Rubber Manufacturers Association (WDK) as it prepares for industrial-scale production over the next two years.

Part of the German paper industry major Koehler Group, Xillix is working with development partner SunCoal Industries to bring to the market the Reforce product line – lignin-based functional fillers which are intended as an alternative to carbon black.

Wood is composed of approximately 30% lignin, which predominantly occurs in cellulose production.

Brandenburg-based SunCoal has developed a technology that uses lignin to produce fillers that have “the same functionality in rubber compounds as that currently achieved by carbon black originating from fossil fuels.”

Koehler founded Xillix as its marketing arm for the filler materials in 2021 as it prepared for an investment decision with regards to the industrial-scale production.

At the time, Koehler said the planned facility, to be built at the Koehler Kehl site in Germany, would have the capacity to produce 15,000 tonnes per annum of the filler materials.

The company plans to make its first deliveries to the market in 2024 and expects to make significant gains amid high raw material prices and supply disruptions.

“Price explosions and supply shortfalls are highlighting the need for regional and sustainable raw materials,” said Xillix in a 20 June statement.

In addition, Xillix said the halt in the high-volume imports of carbon black from Russia and Ukraine had led to “a serious supply crisis” in the rubber industry, with corresponding leaps in price.

“This has increased the need for environmentally and economically sustainable products produced in the EU and made from domestic, renewable raw materials," it added.

Xillix, therefore, said it was “pushing for a structural change” in the supply system within the European rubber industry.

Xillix expects the WDK membership to enable access to “comprehensive and important information” for marketing and sales activities.